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United States LNG exports fall again in July on Freeport LNG's slow restart

U.S. LNG exports plunged in July to the secondlowest level of this year, LSEG ship tracking data revealed, as Freeport LNG shut for 8 days after suffering damage from Cyclone Beryl.

Texas-based Freeport LNG is the nation's second-largest LNG export center, and its production troubles in the last few years have actually played an important function in swings in U.S. gas and international LNG rates.

The U.S. exported 6.69 million metric loads (MT) of LNG in July, compared to 7.11 MT in June and 7.60 MT in May, initial data from LSEG showed.

The 6.69 MT is the second-lowest reading in 2024 and is only greater than the 6.19 MT in April, when shipments were also affected by mechanical problems at Freeport LNG.

Freeport LNG halted operations on July 7, ahead of Cyclone Beryl, which struck the Texas coast near Freeport as a Category 1 cyclone. The plant remained down for 8 days and resumed operations on a phased basis. The company stated the storm harmed the plant's fin fan air coolers, which dissipate heat during processing.

Cheniere Energy's LNG facility in Corpus Christi, Texas, also had 30% lower feedgas flows from July 16-22 due to prepared maintenance work on its compressor station, which lowered U.S. exports, researcher Rystad Energy said in a market note on Monday.

While LNG exports were lower in July than June, the trend of increased exports to Asia continued and for the very first time this year went beyond those to Europe, LSEG information revealed.

Asia last month received 2.9 MT, or 43% of total exports, up 1% from June as a continuous heat wave in the region drove demand, according to Masanori Odaka, a senior analyst at Rystad.

The region imported around 68 MT of LNG in the second quarter of 2024, which is 14% and 10% higher compared to the exact same duration in 2022 and 2023, respectively, Odaka composed.

Sales to Europe fell in July to 2.41 MT, or 36% of overall exports, compared to 2.99 MT, or 42% in June, according to LSEG data.

Latin American and Caribbean countries represented 0.72 MT, or practically 11% of total LNG exports, a little below the 12% in June, LSEG data showed.

There were also exports to two African nations in July, with Egypt purchasing 3 cargoes amounting to 0.22 MT and Namibia one freight from Cheniere's Sabine Pass facility totaling 0.07 MT, according to LSEG information.

There were likewise 5 freights for a combined volume of 0.37 MT that left U.S. LNG centers and were out for orders, LSEG information revealed.

(source: Reuters)